Counting down the 2013 Chargers' top 22 performers, we present our first offensive lineman.

Player: Jeromey Clary

Age: 30

Position: Right guard and tackle

What went right: Clary was a durable, feisty performer at right guard who gave Philip Rivers step-up space to throw passes. Moving from right tackle, a starting job he held for five years, he replaced Louis Vasquez to create a spot for rookie tackle D.J. Fluker. With Clary next to him, Fluker received helpful pointers and reminders, both in preparations and games.

Playcaller Ken Whisenhunt said Clary’s staying in the lineup despite injury, notably in Game 3 at Tennessee, set “the standard for the young guys. They don’t have a choice but to adopt that.”

Clary was third among Chargers blockers in snaps (1,065) despite sitting out two of the 18 games. True to an offensive line proud of its toughness, he attacked his opponents until the whistle blew. Injuries elsewhere put him at right tackle in four games.

What went wrong: He tried to be physical but his limited mobility led to failed run blocks in several games. The dropoff was steep from Vasquez, a first-team, All-Pro performer for the Broncos this season.

With Clary sidelined by a shoulder injury and Fluker slowed by a balky ankle, the line’s right side broke down in the playoff loss to the Broncos. For Clary to sit out a playoff game suggested the shoulder injury was severe and may require offseason attention.

His seven penalties tied Fluker for most on the offensive line. With Clary at right tackle, Dolphins speedster Cameron Wake beat him twice in the fourth quarter of Miami’s victory. Raiders tackle Pat Sims got the best of him a few times in Game 16.

Hungry player: Clary, a sixth-round pick of A.J. Smith’s in 2006, told Michael Gehlken in October why playing through injuries is worth it.

“It’s impossible to explain how awesome Sundays are,” Clary said. “It’s magical. It’s like a kid going to Disneyland for the first time, and we get to do it every Sunday. Every Sunday we get to go into a new stadium like, ‘Oh man. This is incredible.’

“I think 20 years from now, 40 years from now, I’ll look back, and I don’t think I’ll regret anything.”

The move not made: The Chargers met with free-agent right tackle Eric Winston last offseason but chose to move Clary to right guard and draft D.J. Fluker. Winston's visit excited Clary's many critics who considered a swap with Clary an upgrade.

Tom Telesco's moves with Clary and Fluker worked out. Keeping Clary provided continuity within the offense. Fluker gained a mentor who could assist with reads and calls during games. Clary proved to be a decent right guard, with considerable help from the new quick-pass offense.

Winston, who had tailed off the previous year, signed with the Cardinals in late July for $1.25 million. He started every game, for a 10-6 team within the NFL's best division for defense. His declines in footspeed and punch, though, were evident. Winston was inferior to Fluker and probably no better than Clary would've been at tackle had the Chargers kept him there and drafted someone else 11th overall. Clary's $4 million salary made him more expensive.

Looking ahead: Clary is in the fourth year of a $20 million contract issued in July 2011. The Chargers will decide if his $4.55 million salary fits. NFL sophomore Johnnie Troutman, accustomed to playing left guard, struggled as Clary's replacement in the Divisional Playoff.